Bethenny Frankel took to her Instagram on Thursday, Jan. 22, to bravely reveal she has been diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease. The former “RHONY” star explained how, for several months, blood tests had shown concerning kidney levels, but it wouldn’t be until now that she found out just how critical her condition was.
“I want you to take precautions in your own life,” she began to say of why she decided to share her story.
“Months ago I decided that I was going to be very proactive about blood tests, bone density, all the things I had heard people talking about, and I started to take a series of blood tests. Each time my kidney function was coming up low,” Frankel explained.
Bethenny Frankel’s Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease
Frankel went on to say that her team urged her to go to her scheduled doctor’s appointment despite her being unmotivated to do so. When she realized the specialist was only available once a month, the 55-year-old made the decision to go, hoping to get to the bottom of what might be wrong.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, stage 2 chronic kidney disease is kidney damage caused by “having a urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 30 or more for at least three months. Other examples of kidney damage can include frequent and/or long-lasting urinary tract infections (UTIs), blood in the urine (hematuria), kidney stones, kidney cysts, or abnormal findings during medical imaging (ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan) or urinalysis.”
Frankel shared what the specialist said might have caused her kidney damage, saying, “He said it could be a function of this traumatic experience I had years ago when I almost died from an allergy attack. It could have done damage to the kidney. It could be autoimmune. It’s connected to urinary — which I do get UTIs — not as much anymore.”
Bethenny Frankel’s Warning to Others
GettyFrankel admitted that not drinking enough water could be a huge cause, and if she changed her drinking habits, it could also be the ultimate fix.
She explained how the specialist told her that water would be her “medicine” going forward.
When Frankel tried to grapple with other possible reasons for her diagnosis, like her POTS and low blood pressure, she explained how seeing a “pattern” within blood tests is something to take action on.
“Maybe this is something I’ll have to deal with forever, but I just wanted to tell you because I think it’s important to go get all your blood work done,” she said. “All of it! Be thorough and do the follow-ups.”
It this is a true report and not a lot of BS, thank you for sharing your health concerns. It could benefit us all.
Do everything the Dr. says!! I have stage 3 CKD, it’s scary. My mom was on Diyalises
I am stage 3 and have been for almost 20 years. Once the kidneys are damaged, you need to be very pro active about Dr visits and testing. Good luck
My husband has the same disease! Drink lots of water and take your meds! Praying for u!🙏🙏🙏